Woman to axe Golinski account

THE woman behind an unregistered foundation carrying the name of fire victim Matt Golinski has agreed to wind down its donations account this week.

The Matt RWSS Golinski Foundation was started last week by the 40-year-old single mother from South Australia.

It called for donations, but made no secret of the fact that only some of the funds would be passed on to the grieving family.

The rest was to be set aside for victims of future, similar tragedies.

The move angered the Golinski family and supporters, who had no knowledge of the foundation and said they had never authorised the use of the family's name or photos.

They feared someone was trying to make a profit from the Boxing Day blaze at Tewantin, which claimed the lives of Rachael Golinski and her daughters Sage, Willow and Starlia.

Matt Golinski suffered third degree burns to 40% of his body and remains in an induced coma in Royal Brisbane Hospital.

"I will be arranging to have the account closed this week and if any funds have been collected, they will be forwarded to the Golinski family," the unnamed founder of the foundation wrote on Facebook yesterday.

"There was never any malice or ill intentions in my heart and this is something I will pursue through the proper channels so that I can start a charitable fund to help others who face a similar tragedy."

Over the weekend, the woman told the Daily she was determined to keep the foundation going but would rename it if necessary.

A Facebook page for the foundation was unavailable yesterday, although a linked support group with nearly 2000 members was still functioning.

The founder also took aim at several Facebook users who had verbally attacked her online, both privately and publicly.

"There could have been a much simpler, more dignified way in which to resolve all of this ... but you chose the path of negative publicity," she wrote. "Thoroughly disrespectful. It never had to be like this."

The comments were later removed.

Golinski family spokeswoman Trena-Louise Lyons said there was never a clear explanation of how funds raised by the foundation would be used.

The official fundraiser

Donations for the Matt (Matthew) Golinski recovery fund can be made over the counter at any ANZ Bank or by direct deposit to: